Vaporizer



NOV 3, 1970 A. o. BRUNELL 7 v3,538,306

vAPoRIzERA y Filed Jan. 22. 1968 g sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.'

l IE *2f LBERTEBHUNELL.

United States Patent O 3,538,306 VAPORIZER Albert D. Brunell, Somerset, Pa., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Champion Spark Plug Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 22, 1968, Ser. No. 699,500 Int. Cl. Hb 3/60 U.S. Cl. 219-295 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A safety device for an electric steam vaporizer having a liquid reservoir base with a removable top. A lock holding the top and 4base together is disengaged when a electric plug for the vaporizer or a key adjacent the plug is inserted through an opening in the top. When the top is removed from the base, the plug or key is locked in the opening until the top is repositioned on the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is generally directed to electric steam vaporizers, and particularly to a safety locking device to prevent opening an electric steam vaporizer while it is connected to a power source.

Steam vaporizers having electrical heating elements are well known and have long been used in considerable number with -benecial results. Such devices are adapted to provide steam vapor either alone or in combination with a vaporized medicament for the treatment of colds, coughs, bronchitis, and other disorders of the respiratory system. The electrical heating elements often comprises two parallel electrodes which extend from the top of the vaporizer into a reservoir of water or other liquid to be vaporized. An electrolytic may be added to the water to increase the current flow and thereby increase the quantity of steam generated.

Because of the electrical circuit and the presence of water, the hazard of possible electrical shock is always present. This hazard is reduced by placing the two electrodes in a sleeve which will permit the water to liow around the electrodes but will prevent the operator from touching the electrodes with either his hands or with a metal object. However, such a sleeve must be readily removable to permit cleaning deposits which accumulate on the electrodes. Even with such a protective sleeve, there is a danger that the power source will be connected while the sleeve is removed for cleaning the two electrodes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The safety device of the present invention comprehends a lock for attaching a top to a reservoir base of an electric steam vaporizer. The top has two depending electrodes which extend into the liquid held in the reservoir base and are electrically connected through a cord to an electrical plug for connecting to a power source. The lock must be such that the top is readily removable from the base for lling the reservoir base and to expose the two electrodes for cleaning.

The lock is mounted within the top adjacent an opening adapted to receive either the pins of the electric plug 0r a key which is attached adjacent the plug in a manner which ensures that the plug must be removed from the power source before the key can be inserted into the opening. In one embodiment, when the pins of the plug are inserted through the opening in the vaporizer top, they move a spring loaded slide block which in turn operates a lever to open the ybolt of the lock. With the bolt held open by the plug, the top can be removed from the reservoir base. As the top is lifted from the base, a spring clip Patented Nov. 3, 1970 engages and locks the pins of the plug in the opening. The plug is held in place in the top until the top is again placed on the base. When this occurs, the spring clip iS disengaged and the plug can be removed.

When the vaporizer top is locked to the base, if the vaporizer is accidentally overturned the majority of the heated fluid in the base is prevented from gushing out and severely scalding a person, for example, a small child. However, the vaporizer according to the present invention provides a passageway between the liquid reservoir and the atmosphere to prevent a dangerous buildup of pressure in the vaporizer reservoir.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an electric steam vaporizer having a safety device which reduces the hazard of electrical sh'ocks.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock for electric steam vaporizers which cannot be operated While power is connected to the vaporizer.

Still another object of this invention is to prevent the reinsertion of the plug of an electric steam vaporizer into a wall socket while the vaporizer is opened for filling or cleaning.

Still another object of this invention is to minimize the danger of scalding when a vaporizer is accidentally overturned by providing a lock which secures the vaporizer top to the vaporizer base.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred form thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a perspective view of an electric steam vaporizer constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the electric steam vaporizer of FIG. l, showing the plug inserted in the safety device and the top separated from the reservoir base;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view 0f a portion of the vaporizer with a cover plate removed exposing a portion of the safety device;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line `44 of FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the spring clip; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing plug means comprising a different type of an electrical plug and a key device mounted adjacent the plug.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The vaporizer 10 illustrated in the drawings has a reservoir base 12 for holding water or other liquids. A large opening 14 is dened in an upper portion 16 of the base 12. A removable top 18 is mounted over the opening 14. In the present embodiment, the heating means consists of two generally parallel heating electrodes 20 which depend from the top 18 into the water held in the reservoir base 12. However, other types of heating means, for example, an electrical resistance type heating element, can be used rather than the electrodes 20.

The upper ends of the electrodes 20 are connected to wires 22 and 24. Wires 22 and 24 form a cord 26 which passes through a grommet 28 in the top 18. At the free end of cord 26, wires 22 and 24 are attached to pins 30 of an electrical plug 32. In the present embodiment the plug 32 serves as both an electrical plug and as key means. When the reservoir base 12 of the vaporizer 10 is filled with water and the plug 32 is inserted into wall socket 34, current fiows through the cord 26, the electrodes 20 and the water between the electrodes 20. Heat generated by the current fiow through the water causes the water to boil. Adding an electrolyte Ito the water reduces the resistance of the water and thereby increases the current iiow. A heat insulating sleeve 36 around the electrodes 20 reduces the amount of water heated by the electrodes, Steam formed in the vaporizer is emitted from a port 38 in the top 18. The port 38 is located over an open well 39 defined by the top 18. A medicament such as tincture of benzoin may be placed in the well 39. As steam is emitted from the port 38 it readily mixes with vapors arising from the medicament in the open well 39 and carries the vapors to the person under treatment.

In the present embodiment, the top 18 includes an upper chamber 40, an intermediate wall 41 and a lower chamber 42. A spring loaded horizontal slide block 43 is mounted in the upper chamber 40. A lever 44 extends through a lever opening 45 in the intermediate wall 41 and is pinned to the wall 41. The slide block 43 engages the upper end of the lever 44. A spring loaded bolt 46 is positioned in the lower chamber 42. The bolt 46 has a hole 47 which receives the lower end of the lever 44. Springs 48 act on the slide block 43 and springs 50 act on the bolt 46, each biasing the bolt 46 towards a locked position.

When the pins 30 of the plug 32 are inserted through two cooperating spaced apertures or openings 52 in the top 18, they engage and move the slide block 43 which compresses the Springs 48. As the slide block 43 is moved by the pins 30, the lever 44 is rotated and the bolt 46 is moved to an open position. As it is opened, the bolt 46 disengages from a cooperating opening 53 defined through a raised lip 54 which surrounds the large opening 14 in the reservoir base 12. When the bolt 46 is clear of opening 53, the removable top 18 can be lifted from the reservoir base 12.

Referring to lFIG. 6, vertical guides 56 extend from the upper portion 16 of the base 12 such that the bolt 46 is aligned with opening 53 when the top 18 is replaced on the base 12. A vertical post 58 extends from the upper portion 16 of the base 12 and projects through a hole 60 in a lower cover plate 62 and through a post opening 61 defined through the intermediate wall 41. The post 58 engages a ange 64 of a spring clip 66 (see FIG. 7). The spring clip 66 is attached to the top 18 by a fastener 76 which extends through an elongated slot 77 in the clip 66. The spring clip 66 is free to move vertically a distance equal to the length of the slot 77. Springs 68 formed in spring clip 66 act against an upper cover plate 70 .to urge the spring clip 66 downwardly. The spring clip 66 defines a pair of slots 72 which are aligned with the apertures 52 when the post 58 acts on ange 64 forcing lthe spring clip 66 to an upper position.

In operation of the safety device, first assume that the top 18 is locked to the reservoir base 12 as shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the bolt 46 extends through the lip opening 53 and the vertical post 58 acts on the spring clip flange 64 to force the spring clip 66 upwardly to a position where the spring clip slots 72 are aligned with the top apertures 52. When the pins 30 of plug 32 are pushed through the apertures 52 to engage and move the slide block 43, the lever 44 opens the bolt 46 and the top 18 can be lifted clear of the base 12. As the top 18 is lifted, the ver-tical post 58 disengages the spring clip 66 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Springs 68 urge the spring clip 66 downwardly and upper edges 74 of the slots 72 lockably engage the pins 30 of the plug 32. The pins 30 are locked in apertures 52 until the top 18 is replaced on the vaporizers base 12. Consequently the hazard of possible elec trical shock is greatly reduced because the plug 32 must be removed from the power source before the top 18 can be removed from the vaporizer base 12 and secondly, the top 18 must be replaced upon the vaporizer base 12 before the plug 32 is released for reinsertion in a wall socket or other power source. j

When the top 18 is locked to the base 12, there is preferably a circumferential passageway dened between the outer surface of the raised lip 54 and the adjacent inner surface of the top 18. This passageway forms a path of communication between the reservoir base 12 and the atmosphere and prevents an undesirable buildup of pressure within the reservoir base 12. If the vaporizer 10 is accidentally overturned, minor amounts of heated liquid can pass through the passageway, however the locking of the top 18 to the reservoir base 12 prevents the gushing of heated liquid from the vaporizer 10.

FIG. 8 shows a modified embodiment of the invention. A key 75 is mounted adjacent a three prong plug 32a. The key 75 is used to open the bolt 46. Apertures 52 are modified (not shown) to receive the key 75 instead of the plug 32a. Preferably, the key 75 is attached adjacent the plug 32a such that the plug 32a must be removed from the power source prior to inserting the key 75 into the apertures 52.

It will be appreciated that other arrangements of the safety device may be used and that changes may be made in the elements of the safety device without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An electric vaporizer comprising, in combination, a liquid reservoir base, a removable top mounted on said base, heating means within said base, a power cord having one end electrically connected to said heating means, plug means attached to the other end of said power cord, key means adjacent to and associated with said plug means, said top defining at least one opening for receiving said key means, said key means being so related to said plug means that said plug means must be removed from its power source before said key means may be inserted in such opening, lever means mounted in said top adjacent such opening, said key means effective to operate said lever means when said key means is inserted in such opening, and bolt means operatively connected to said lever means wherein said lever means is effective to move said bolt means between a lock position wherein said top is locked to said base and an open position wherein said top can be removed from said base.

2. An electric vaporizer, according to claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a pair of electrodes depending from said top.

3. An electric vaporizer, according to claim 2, wherein said plug means and said -key means consist of an electric plug, said electrical plug being a male type electrical connector, said plug having outwardly extending terminals which serve as key member, said terminals being suitable for insertion in an electrical power outlet and wherein said top defines openings for receiving said terminals when said terminals function as key members.

4. An electric vaporizer, according to claim 2, wherein said plug means includes an electrical plug suitable for insertion in an electrical power outlet and wherein said key means is mounted on said power cord in the immediate vicinity of said electrical plug at such a location that the key means cannot be inserted in such opening in said top without removing the plug from the power source.

5. In an electric steam vaporizer having a liquid reservoir base and a removable top for said base, said top carrying an electric heating element and defining a key opening, a safety device for locking the top to the base comprising: a power cord having one end electrically connected to said heating element, key means attached in the immediate vicinity of the other end of said power cord at such a location that said key means cannot be inserted in such Ikey opening without removing said power cord from its power source, a bolt mounted in said top for lockably engaging said base, means operable by said key means for disengaging said bolt from the base when said key means is inserted through such key opening in said top, and means responsive to the removal of said top from said base for locking said key means in such opening when said top is removed from said base.

6. The safety device of claim 5, wherein said means for locking said key in said opening comprises a spring clip having gripping means for removably holding said key in said opening when said top is removed from said base and releasing means carried by said base operatively engaging said spring clip when said top is mounted on said base.

7. An electric vaporizer comprising, in combination, a liquid reservoir base having a locking opening, a removable top, a pair of electrodes depending from said top, said top defining a chamber and a key opening, a power cord having one end electrically connected to said electrodes, key means attached in the immediate vicinity of the other end of said power cord at such a location that said key means cannot be inserted in such key opening without removing said power cord from its power source, lever means mounted in such chamber adjacent such key opening, said key means effective to operate said lever means when said key means is inserted in such key opening, bolt means operatively connected to said lever means, wherein said lever means is effective to move said bolt means between a iirst position wherein said bolt means is engaged with such locking opening and a second position wherein said bolt means is disengaged from such locking opening, and biasing means for urging said bolt means into the first position.

8. An electric vaporizer, according to claim 7, and aligning means for aligning said bolt means with such bolt opening when said top is replaced on said base.

9. An electric vaporizer, according to claim 8, wherein said key means consists of an electric plug mounted to said other end of said power cord, said plug having outwardly extending terminals and wherein such key opening comprises apertures for receiving said terminals.

10. An electric vaporizer, according to claim 8, including an electrical plug mounted on said other end of said power cord, wherein said key means comprises a key member mounted in the immediate vicinity of said plug at such a location that said key member cannot be inserted in such key opening without removing said plug from its power source, and wherein such key opening receives said key member.

11. An electric vaporizer, according to claim 8, and means responsive to the removal of said top from said base for locking said key means in such key opening when said top is removed from said base.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 858,781 7/ 1907 Benedict. 1,004,449 9/ 1911 Markowitz 70--169 1,806,729 5/1931 Aitken 21'9-275 X 2,685,191 8/ 1954 Ford 70-169 2,981,821 4/1961 Hayes 219--437 X 3,020,385 2/ 1962 Conlin et al. 219-272 ANTHONY BARTIS, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 

